Windshield cleaner



Jan. 14, 1930. E. H. coucH ET AL wINDsHIELD CLEANER Filed Feb. 18. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jam 14, 1930. E. H. coUcH ET AL wINDsHIELD CLEANER Filed Feb. 18, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ira M Ermsarv- Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD H. OOUCH AND IRA. W. ROBINSON, F SHINNSTON, WEST 'VIRGINIA WINDSHIELD CLEANER Application nl ed February 18, 1928. Serial N'o. 255,370.

While it is the primary intention of this invention to provide for the cleaning of windshields of automobiles and motor vehicles generally,it should be stated thatlit is not restricted in this' particular since it is adapted for use where a clear vision is desired through a plateA of glass, or like transparent material, by removing moisture, frost and other matter therefrom tending to obstruct the view.

The invention contemplates a device embodying a su port, a wiper and a heater, the parts pre erably being separable to admit of independent use when desired, and

to provide for replacement should the exigency arise.

The invention furthermore provides an electric heater and connections which admit of the electric current being supplied to zo determinate parts of the heating element according to strength of current or the condition of the resistance. Thus, should the heating element separate at any point in its length from any cause, or should the current be insuiiicient to heat the resistance throughout its length to the desired degree, the current may be confined to portions of the resistance to properl heat the same to melt ice and snow and issipate frost tending to obstruct the view.

While the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the

vdesign may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which,-

Figure l is a perspective view of a windshield cleaner embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view, the parts being separated land disposed in a group.

Figure 3 is a central, longitudinal, sectional view of the support, showing the relative position of theparts when in place and housed thereby.

Figure 4 is a front view of the device.

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view on the line 5--5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a modification.

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the heating element and connections admittingof varying the respective lengths to be heated.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 denotes the support for receiving the parts comprising the cleaner. This support is elongated and hollow, and partakes of the nature of a casing which is closed at all sides with the exception of the front which is open to admit of introducing the heater and associated parts into the casing, or removing such parts therefrom. This support or casing l may be constructed of any suitable material and. when formed of metal its inner 'walls are lined with asbestos or other suitable insulating and refractory 'materiaL Flexible strips 2, preferably of soft rubber, are provided at opposite sides of the supportl and project forwardly therefrom to engage the windshield, or' other surface to be cleaned, in a manner well understopd. The flexible strips 2 constitute wipers and may be rigidly connected to the sides of the support l, as indicated in Figure 7 of the drawings, or detachable, as indicated in the remaining views. In the construction shown in Figures 6 and 7 edge portions of the sides of to the casing and may be held in the casing are formed to snugly receive edge portions of the strips 2. In the ,construction in the remaining views the flexible strips 2 are confined by means of metal retainer strips 3 which are held in place by screws 4 threaded into the sides of the` casing 1. This arrangement admits of the wiper strips 2 being readily removed for any purpose. j

The heater' comprises a core 5 and a resistance coil 6 consisting of a wire wound about the core 5. The heater is detachably fited ace therein by any determinate means w ich, as indicated in Figure 6, consists of screws 7 passing through openings formed in the ends of the casing 1 and threaded into openings in the ends of the core 5. As indicated in the remaining views, a post 8 of refractory and insulating material is secured within the casing 1 by means of screws 9 which are passed through openings inthe ends of the Casin 1 and engage threaded openings formed 1n the ends of the post 8. A plurality of clips 10 applied to the post 8 serve as means for securing the heater when placed in position. These clips 10 serve an additional function, as connecting means for attaching the conducting wires to the resistance element 6 of the heater. In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 6 the clips 10 function solely as connecting means of the conducting wires with the heating coil 6. The clips 10 and 10L are adjustable along the length of the heating coil 6 to admit of varying the length of the respective part, or parts, when heated. Referring to Figure 8 of the drawings the battery or source of supply of electricity is designated by the letter D and 11 and 12 denote the lead wires supplying current to the heating coil 6. A wire 13 is connected to the lead 11 and has branches which are connected to the end and middle clips. The wire 14 is connected to the lead 12y and branches form connecting means between it and the clips disposed between the middle and end clips. It will thus be understood that every other clip is connected in series with the lead 11, and the intermediate clips are connected in series with the lead 12. In the illustration five clips are shown, the middle and end clips being connected to the lead 11 and the intermediate `clips being connected to the lead 12. By adjusting the end clips to reduce the space therebetween the effective length of the heating coil 6 is varied. Should the heat-ing coil 6 burn out at any point in its length current will be supplied to the remaining portion or portions by reason of the arrangement of the wiring and clips, as `will be readil understood on reference to Figure 8 of t e drawings. The clips 10'* are movable .along the length of the heating coil. The clips 10 are movable along the length of the post 8. The clips 10 are clamped to the post 8 by means ofscrews 15 passing through opposite elements of the clips, the projecting ends of which provide jaws between which the heater is held, as indicated most clearly in Figure 5 of the drawings.

In theform shown in Figures 6 and 7 the heater may be readily removed from the casing 1 by detaching the screws 7. In the other form the heater may be detached by disengaging it from the clips 10. It is not necessary to remove the ost 8 from the casing except when it is esired to change the relative position of the clips so as to vary the effective portion of the coil 6 to be heated according to the strength of the battery with which the automobile or other vehicle is equipped. It is noted that the heater is enclosed and that the wiper strips 2 extend along opposite sides thereof. As a result loss of heat is revented and heat is confined, thereby serving to remove ice, snow and frost quickly. An arm 16 carries the device which may be attached thereto in any usual or preferred way.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A cleaner for a windshield or analogous surface requiring a clearI vision, the same including an electric heater, contact elements at different points in the length ofthe heater and adjustable thereon to vary the effective heating extent, and lead wires from a source of electric supply connected to alternate contact elements.

2. A cleaner for windshields and like clear vision surfaces, the same comprising an elongated casing, a member therein, a heater removably fitted within the casing and connecting means between the said member and heater for retaining the latter whenV positioned within the casing. l

3. A windshield cleaner. comprising an elongated casing, a member therein, a heater removably fitted within the casing, and connecting means mounted upon one of the parts and. adapted to detachably engage the other part to retain the heater when positioned Within the casing.

4. A windshield wiper comprising an elongated casin a post therein, a removable heater and c ips mounted upon the post and adjustable thereon and adapted to engage the heater and retain it withinthe casing.

5. A windshield wiper comprising an elongated casing, a post therein, clips mounted upon the post and adjustable along the length thereof, lead wires electrically connected with the clips, and an electric heater removabl fitted to the casing and retained in placel y means of. the said clips, which also serve to supply current to the heater at different points in its length.

6. A windshield wiper comprising an elongated casing, wipers at the sides thereof, a post removably fitted to the casing, clips mounted upon the post and adjustable along the length thereof, lead wires electrically connected with the clips, and lan electric heater removably fitted within the casing and retained in place by means of the said clips which also serve to supply current to the heater at different points in the length thereof.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

EDWARD I-I. COUCH. [La] IRA W. ROBINSON. [L. s.] 

